Former South Carolina Firefighters File Unpaid Overtime Lawsuit for $1.4 Million in Back Wages

COLUMBIA — A group of former firefighters for the York, South Carolina Fire Department recently filed an unpaid overtime lawsuit, claiming the city owes $1.4 million in back overtime pay with interest, penalties, and attorneys fees to cover the cost of litigation. The plaintiffs filed their claim in York County civil court, claiming the city violated its own labor and wage policies, as well as South Carolina state laws.

While the city reportedly denies liability and maintains it paid the firefighters properly, the city council and city manager are set to receive a private briefing in the near future from legal counsel retained to fight the suit. Although wage and labor laws are meant to protect workers from becoming wage theft victims and help rectify claims, defendants often deny and delay claims until courts compel these actors to take responsibility for their actions.

In this case, the plaintiffs claim they frequently worked between eight and 32 hours of overtime each week but were never compensated at one and a half times their regular hourly rate of pay, as per city policy. The firefighters allege that their work schedule required them to work shifts of 24 hours on and then 48 hours off, accounting for the fluctuating yet consistent overtime hours.

Overtime Pay Damages Could Triple Under State Laws

The unpaid overtime lawsuit seeks $420,000 on the principle of the unpaid wages, plus an additional $840,000 in penalties under South Carolina overtime pay and labor laws. Such penalties are meant to compensate plaintiffs for their damages as well as deter unscrupulous companies from increasing their bottom line by taking advantage of workers.

Many workers assume their employers are in compliance with state and federal labor laws, yet companies often rely on these predispositions to cheat workers out of hard earned pay. Unfortunately, firefighters, police, and other first responders are often victims of wage theft by municipal governments trying to spread tax dollars too thin.

Firefighter Unpaid Overtime Lawsuit

Call (855) 754-2795 or complete the Free Unpaid Overtime Case Review form on the top right of this page if you believe that your wage rights are being violated under the FLSA. Our top-rated team of unpaid wage lawyers will evaluate your situation to determine your best course of action to help you seek justice.

Our office will also determine if it is in your best interest to file a lawsuit against your employer. Because strict time limitations apply for filing these types of claims, we advise you contact our experienced unpaid overtime wage attorneys at your earliest convenience and preserve your legal rights.

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